Ion controller



March 18, 1952 w. w. HlcKs ION CONTROLLER Filed June 19, 1950 INVENTOR. mW/am W ///'c,?5

ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 18, 1952 ION CQNTROLLER William Wesley Hicks, San Francisco, Calif., assignor to Ionics, Inc., San Francisco, Calif., a

corporation of California Application June 19, 1950,.Serial No. 169,051

6 Claims. (01. 250-43) This invention relates to a device for selectively discharging positive or negative ions into atmospheric air at atmospheric pressure within an enclosed area such as a dwelling or a room. Particularly this invention relates to the utilization of a simplified device which continuously emits both positive and negative ions together with means for selectively filtering out ions of one or the other sign, as the case may be, and which circulates those ions not so filtered throughout the chamber or room.

As I pointed out in my copending application Serial No. 70,277, filed January 11, 1949, which matured as Patent No. 2,576,399, for Ion Controller, it is well known that the presence of ions in a given spa'ce results not only from natural ionization processes but also from the introduction of ions produced by the action of electric fields or by thermionic emission or in other ways. The physiological value of ionized air is well established. Specifically, ionized air has been found to have a beneficial physiological effect upon persons suffering from high blood pressure, rheumatism, gout, neuritis, bronchitis, asthma and respiratory diseases. I am particularly interested in those ions having their source in a simple ion emitter. Similar advantages are described in my copending applications Serial Nos. 169,052 and 169,053, both filed June 19, 1950.

In my copending application I disclose one means for producing ions and for selectively filtering from the ions so produced all or substantially all of the ions of a given sign together with means for circulating the nonfiltered ions throughout the desired area. However, the source of ions in said copending application is an electric heater and when that electric heater is not functioning as a heater no ions will be produced thereby. For this reason the device disclosed in my said copending application does not control the production or circulation of ions when it is not also acting as a heater.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simplified tvpe of device which is productive of ions of given sign at all times whether or not the device is alsoacting as a heater.

It is another object of this invention to provide an ion controlling apparatus suitable for use in atmospheric air at atmospheric pressure in a closed room or chamber for producing a majority of ions of a particular sign therein and for maintaining the level of ions of that sign.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which the figure illustrates a cross-sectional view of apparatus incorporating my invention, and illustrates schematically the circuits and controls therefor.

As shown in the figure, I have provided a suitable low voltage no pressure ion generator in the form of an electric heater such as is disclosed and described in United States Letters Patent 1,704,479. An electric heater of this type is particularly advantageous inasmuch as the same, in addition to providing a heating medium, will also cause the circulation of air with in an enclosed area or room when the same is operating. As shown in the drawing, the particular form of heater disclosed is provided with a housing [0 which may be constructed of perforated sheet metal or other suitable material and which forms a support for the remainder of the device. Arranged within the housing [0 and supported from the inner walls of the same is a hollow ceramic core H which is preferably tubular in shape to provide a central flue l2 and whose outer surface is adapted to accommodate a resistance or heating element l3. The heating element I3 is connected to a suitable source of electric current as shown. A thermostat I4 is placed in the circuit and is adapted to be actuated by the air entering the heater to close or open the circuit supplying electric current to the heater. A suitable switch for the operation of the electric heater may also be provided.

The heater thus described ofiers heated surfaces II and [3 for the thermionic emission of ions. In addition, by virtue of its construction, it also circulates the air within the room when the surfaces H and 13 are heated, which air; it will be recalled, contains ions. In this manner this heateris adapted to supply both positive and negative ions and to cause the circulation of those and others throughout a room.

In order to regulate the circulation of ions through the room as either positive or negative ions, while the surfaces l I and [3 are heated and are emitting ions, I have provided a suitable means for selectively filtering out either positive or negative ions produced by the thermionic emitting surfaces II and I3. As shown, this consists of a suitable grid I1 in'the form of a simple nickel screen surrounding the heating elements to which there is supplied a positive 'or negative charge, depending, of course, upon the sign or charge of the ion which is to be collected or filtered out of the air stream. The charge to the grid ll may be supplied from any suitable source such as a source of direct current or through a half-Wave rectifier It as shown connected with the usual source of power supplied to the heating element I3, it being important primarily that the current supplied must be capable of selection, that is, that either a negative or positive charge must be available to an operator for application to the grid l1.

Since I am particularly interested in con trolling the emission of ions to obtain a negatively charged atmosphere, I shall describe in this specification that embodiment of my invention which produces that result. It will be understood that a positively charged atmosphere may also be produced.

I prefer, however, that a negative charge be supplied to the grid I1 and that this charge be a pulsing charge whereby either a negative charge or no charge is supplied to the grid. The pulsing effect is obtained by connecting the grid to the negative side of a half-wave rectifier.

I have learned that there are two forces controlling the movement of ions. The first of these forces is the force of the electric field which exists between the emitting surfaces It and I3 the movement of air through the electric field.

Ions may be moved out of the electric field by the movement of air therethrough.

I-havealso found that when no electric field exists, the ions produced by the surfaces H and l3 will cluster about the surfaces H and I3 and will not be discharged into space. In other words, they will remain in a restricted zone around the emitters unless swept from this zone by the action of a draft of air.

Therefore when the grid I1 is not charged and air is caused to pass through the electric field created by the emitting surfaces and the grid II, ions of both signs will be swept by said draft of air upwardly and through the grid I1. However, when the grid I! is negatively charged, the positive ions being swept therethrough will be attracted to and collected by the grid 11 whereas the negative ions will be repelled. Those negative ions which have passed through the grid I! will be repelled upwardly and outwardly away from the grid and will pass into the atmosphere of the room. Those negative ions within the grid I! will be suppressed or halted in their movement toward and through the grid until such time as the negative charge is eliminated from the grid. At that time and under those conditions the negative ions which have previously been halted or whose movement has been slowed down will be allowed to pass through the grid.

As is also shown, I have placed within the flue |2 of the ceramic core H a second ion emitter which, as illustrated, consists of a filament 2| placed within a tubular sleeve electrode 22. It

will be noted that the sleeve electrode 22 is co- 7 axially aligned with the fiue i2 and, as a matter of fact, is spaced only a short distance from the inner walls of the fiue l2.

As has previously been explained ions of both signs will be emitted from the surfaces and Hi. Convection currents established by the heater l3 will cause a passage of 'air through the electrostatic field between the emitting surfaces I! and I3 and the grid I! with the result that ions of both signs will be swept upwardly over the device and through the grid At those times when a negative charge is being supplied to the grid I! the positive ions will be attracted thereto and detained thereby while those negative ions on the outside of the grid will be expelled away from the grid and those within the grid II will be repelled for the moment. However, when the negative charge is no longer supplied to the grid i1 and, as a matter of fact, when no charge is supplied to the grid H, the negative ions previously repelled or whose upward course has been restricted will pass through the grid ll into the atmosphere.

It should also be noted that simultaneously therewith a pulsating positive charge is being supplied to the sleeve electrode 22.

When the temperature of the air passing over the thermostat l4 exceeds the temperature for which the thermostat is set, the thermostat operates to terminate the supply of current to the heating element l3 and will cause the contacts 23 and SI to engage withthe result that current will be supplied to the element 2| through the transformer 32. When the current is supplied to the filament 2| through the transformer 32, ions of both signs will be emitted thereby, as has previously been explained. Pulsating positive current is being supplied to the electrode 22. When the electrode 22 is positively charged negative ions will be attracted thereto and positive ions will be repelled back to the emitter 2|. However, the current of air through the electrode 22 will add a second component to the direction of travel of negative ions and the same will be caused to pass upwardly and outwardly through the upper open end of the electrode 22.

The pulsating negative charge upon the grid will not affect the total output of negative ions from above the electrode 22 because the effect of the air velocity at this point is relatively greater than the effect of the electrostatic field. However, the negative pulses supplied to the grid H will further reduce the number of positive ions which are discharged flomthe electrode 22 by absorption.

The filament 2| is an ion emitting surface which emits both positive and negative ions.

The tubular electrode 22 is connected to the positive side of a rectifier |8. As I have previously pointed out in the specification, I have found that the movement of ions is subject to two forces, the first being the forces Within the electrostatic field between the emitter, in this case the filament 2|, and the tubular electrode 22; and the second force being that of a current of air through the electrostatic field. Since the tubular electrode 22 is positively charged, it W111 be obvious that negative ions will be attracted by the electrode 22 whereas positive ions will be repelled thereby and caused to move back toward the emitting surface 2|. Under these conditions, therefore, negative ions are moving in the electrostatic field away from the filament 2| and toward the electrode 22, while positive ions are being emitted from the emitting surface 2| and being drawn back thereto.

A passage of air through this electrostatic field, however, will add a second component to the movement of the ions within the field and will tend to sweep the negative ions which are normally drawn from the emitter 2| toward the electrode 22 upwardly and outwardly through the upper end of the electrode 22. A small portion of the positive ions which have been emitted from the surface 2| only to be drawn back thereto will also be swept upwardly. I have found that the discharge of negative ions from the upper end temperature of the air within the room "of the electrode 22 is approximately ten negative perature of the air being introduced into the -heater is sufiiciently low to close the thermostat and cause contacts 28 and 2-9 to engage, current will be supplied to the heating element I3.

Simultaneously with the closing of the switch 24, current will also be supplied to the rectifier |8 and, as shown, a negative charge will be supplied to the grid IT.

The resistance element I3 will emit ions and an electric field will be established between the heating element I 3 and the grid I with the result previously indicated. Because of the construction of the ceramic core, a current of air will be caused to pass over the heating surfaces II and I3 and carry ions emitted thereby to and through the grid II. Inasmuch as a negative pulsing charge will be supplied to the grid II, the results previously indicated will occur.

When the current of air passing upwardly over the thermostat I4 reaches or approaches a predetermined temperature, the thermostat |4 will open and separate the contacts 28 and 29 and will cause the contacts 28 and 3| to engage, terminating the supply of current to the heating element I3 and supplying current to the transformer 32 and to the emitter 2|. At the same time the sleeve electrode 22 which is connected through a conductor to the rectifier I8 will be supplied with a positive charge with the results which have heretofore been noted, that is, with the production of ions by the emitter 2| and the attraction of the negative ions toward the positively charged electrode 22.

When the thermostat I4 operates to terminate the supply of current to the heating element I3, the normal draft of air through the heater will also terminate. Therefore, when the thermostat I4 causes contacts 28 and 3| to engage, current may be supplied to an electric motor 33 which operates a fan 34 which creates a draft of air through the device and particularly through the core I2 and the electrode 22.

The draft of air through the electric field between the emitter 2| and the electrode 22 will cause the discharge of a preponderance of negative ions through the upper or exhaust end of the sleeve 22.

In addition to constituting a heater therefor, the heating element I3 provides an ion emitting surface. In actual practice the device comprises a 1000 watt, 115 volt heater which is suflicient to maintain the desired temperature within a room. The thermostat I4 is responsive to the temperature of the air entering the heater. When the air reaches a predetermined temperature, the thermostatic switch I4 which supplies current to the heater, is actuated to open the circuit to the heater I3 and to close the circuit to the transformer 32 and supply current to the emitter 2| In this manner the supply of ions of a given sign to a given area will be uninterrupted. Likewise the supply of heat to a given area will be maintained at a predetermined level. In other words, while the heater I3 is in operation, ions of a given sign are being introduced into the room as has previously been described. When the and passing over the thermostat I4 reaches a predetermined level the supply of current to the heating element I3 is terminated and the emitter 2| is caused to operate. Therefore, regardless of the temperature of the air within the room, a quantity of ions of a given sign is being introduced into the room and the ion level and ion saturation are being maintained. When the temperature of the air within the room is below a predetermined level these ions of a given sign are being produced by the surfaces II and I3 and controlled by the grid I1 whereas when the temperature of the air within the given area exceeds the predetermined level, the ions are being produced by the emitter 2| and are being controlled by the action of the sleeve electrode 22.

Operation of this device may briefly be summarized as follows: The apparatus is connected to a suitable source of electric current 23. Switch 24 is closed and the thermostat I4 is set to main tain a predetermined temperature within the area. Assuming that the tem erature of the area is below the level desired, the thermostat will operate to close the circuit supplying electric current to the heater I 3. As previously explained, the air within the area will be heated and ions will be produced. When the air within the area has approached or reached the predetermined temperature, the thermostat I4 will operate to open the circuit to the heater l3 and grid I1 and to close the circuit to the emitter 2| and electrode 22, thereby terminating the supply of heat to the room but continuing the supply of ions of a given sign to the area.

I claim:

1. In a device for controlling the ion concentration in a room in atmospheric air at atmospheric pressure, a first apparatus comprising means for producing ions of both signs in a predetermined zone in atmosphere, charged grid means for selectively controlling at atmospheric pressure ions of the sign opposite to the sign of the grid, and means for passing a stream of air first through said zone and then through said grid to carry a substantial number of said ions to said grid whereby the ions of the same si n as the grid will be carried through and ions opposite to the sign of the grid will be collected by said grid, said grid being positioned to extend across the path of air moving in said stream, and a second apparatus comprising a resistance filament emitter capable of producing ions of both signs in air adjacent thereto, a positively charged open-ended sleeve electrode surrounding said emitter and creating an electric field between said emitter and said sleeve whereby negatively charged ions will move in said electric field toward said electrode, said means for passing a stream of air also being adapted to cause a draft of air to be passed through said sleeve and electric field to divert said negative ions from their course toward said sleeve electrode to a point beyond the open end of the sleeve electrode through which the air discharges, and common control means for supplying a charge to said gri and said means for producing ions in said first apparatus or to said sleeve electrode and said filament emitter in said second apparatus.

2. In a device for controlling the ion concentration in a room in atmospheric air at atmospheric pressure, a first apparatus comprising means for producing ions of both signs in a predetermined zone in atmosphere, charged grid means for selectively controlling at atmos heric pressure ions of the sign opposite to the sign of the grid, and means for passing a stream of air first through said zone and then through said grid to carry a substantial number of said ions to said grid whereby the ions of the same sign as the grid will be carried through and ions opposite to the sign of the grid will be collected by said grid, said grid being positioned to extend across the path of air moving in said stream, a second apparatus comprising a resistance filament emitter capable of producing ions of both signs in air adjacent thereto, a positively charged open-ended sleeve electrode surrounding said emitter and creating an electric field between said emitter and said sleeve whereby negatively charged ions will move in said electric field toward said electrode, said means for passing a stream of air also being adapted to cause a draft of air to be passed through said sleeve and electric field to divert said negative ions from their course toward said sleeve electrode to a point beyond the open end of the sleeve electrode through which the air dis charges. and common control means for supplying a charge to said grid and said means for producing ions in said first apparatus or to said sleeve electrode and said filament emitter in said second apparatus, said control means comprising a thermostaticswitch responsive to the temperature of the air in said stream of air.

3. In a device for controlling the ion concentration in a room in atmospheric air at atmospheric pressure, a first apparatus comprising thermal means for producing ions of both signs in a predetermined zone in atmosphere, charged grid means for selectively controlling at atmospheric pressure ions of the sign opposite to the sign of the grid, means for passing a stream of air first through said Zone and then through said grid to carry a substantial number of said ions to said grid whereby the ions of the same sign as the grid will be carried through and ions opposite to the sign of the grid will be collected by said grid, said grid being positioned to extend across the path of air moving in said stream, a second apparatus comprising a resistance filament emitter capable of producing ions of both signs in air adjacent thereto, a positively charged open-ended sleeve electrode surrounding said emitter and creating an electric field between said emitter and said sleeve whereby negatively charged ions will move in said electric field towards said electrode, said means for passing a stream of air also being adapted to cause a draft of air to be passed through said sleeve and electric field to divert said negative ions from their course toward said sleeve electrode to a point beyond the open end of the sleeve electrode through which the air discharges, and common control means for supplying a charge to said grid and said means for producing ions in said first apparatus or to said sleeve electrode and said filament emitter in said second apparatus, said control means comprising a thermostatic switch responsive to the temperature of the air in said stream of air.

4. In a device for controlling the ion concentration in a room in atmospheric air at atmospheric pressure, a first apparatus comprising means for producing ions of both signs in a predetermined zone in atmosphere, charged grid means surrounding said means for producing ions and for selectively controlling at atmospheric pressure ions of the sign opposite to the sign of the grid, means for passing a stream of air first through said zone and then through said grid to carry a substantial number of said ions to said grid wherebythe ions of the same sign as the grid will be carried through and ions opposite to the sign of the grid will be collected by said grid, said grid being positioned to extend across the path of air moving in said stream, and a second apparatus comprising a resistance filament emitter capable of producing ions of both signs in air adjacent thereto, a positively charged openended sleeve electrode surrounding said emitter and creating an electric field between said emitter and said sleeve whereby negatively charged ions will move in said electric field toward said electrode, said means for passing a stream of air also being adapted to cause a draft of air to be passed through said sleeve and electric field to divert said negative ions from their course toward said sleeve electrode to a point beyond the open end of the sleeve electrode through which the air discharges, and common control means for supplying a charge to said grid and said means for producing ions in said first apparatus or to said sleeve electrode and said filament emitter in said second apparatus.

5. In a device for controlling the negative ion concentration in a room in atmospheric air at atmospheric pressure, a first apparatus comprising thermionic means comprising an electric re sistance element for producing ions of both signs in a predetermined zone adjacent said thermionic means, a negatively charged grid surrounding said thermionic means and lying beyond said zone for selectively collecting positive ions, said thermionic means and said grid defining an electric field and a second apparatus comprising a thermionic means comprising an electric resistance element capable of producing ions of both signs in air adjacent thereto, a positively charged openended sleeve electrode surrounding said emitter and serving to draw negative ions toward said sleeve electrode and to repel positive ions toward said filament, and means for causing a draft of air to be passed first through said zone and said field in said first apparatus and then through the grid of said first apparatus, whereby the ions formed in said first named zone will be carried to said grid and the negative ions will be carried therethrough and positive ions will be collected thereby, and for causing a draft of air to be passed through said sleeve and electric field of the second apparatus to divert said negative ions from their course toward said sleeve electrode, and common control means responsive to the temperature of the air in said air stream for determining the supply of current to said first named electric resistance element and grid or to said second named electric resistance element and said sleeve.

6. In a device for controlling the negative ion concentration in a room in atmospheric air at atmospheric pressure, a first apparatus comprising thermionic means comprising an electric resistance element for producing ions of both signs in a predetermined zone adjacent said thermionic means, a negatively charged grid surrounding said thermionic means and lying beyond said zone for selectively collecting positive ions, said thermionic means and said grid defining an electric field, a second apparatus comprising a thermionic means comprising an electric resistance element capable of producing ions of both signs in air adjacent thereto, a positively charged open-ended sleeve electrode surrounding said emitter and serving to draw negative ions toward said sleeve electrode and to repel positive ions toward said filament, and means for causing a draft of air to be passed first through said zone and said field in said first apparatus and then through the grid of said first apparatus, whereby the ions formed in said first named zone will be carried to said grid and the negative ions will be carried therethrough and positive ions will be collected thereby, and for causing a draft of air to be passed through said sleeve and electric field of the second apparatus to divert said negative ions from their course toward said sleeve electrode, the velocity of said draft of'air, the dimensions of said sleeve and the intensity of the charge on said sleeve being so related that the effect of said draft of air and the attractive effect of said sleeve electrode on said negative ions will cause said ions to move along a trajectory extending through the open end of said sleeve through which said air discharges, and common control means responsive to the temperature of CES GITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PAILNTS Number Name Date 935,457 Bridge Sept. 28, 1909 2,004,352 Simon June 11, 1935 2,504,772 White Apr. 18, 1950 OTHER REFERENCES LOnde Electrique, pub. in Paris, France, 40 Rue De Deine, Oct. 1946, pp. 368-373. 

